Quad alliance diplomats stress ‘adherence to international law’ but don’t mention China
- Foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the United States meet to underscore the bloc’s importance, even in the face of pressing global events
- All four partners have seen their relations with Beijing worsen over issues including human rights, territorial disputes and the origins of the coronavirus
Top diplomats from the burgeoning, informal alliance known as the Quad met in Australia on Friday and reaffirmed their commitment to a “free, open and inclusive rules-based order” in the Pacific without mentioning China by name.
“We oppose coercive economic policies and practices that run counter to this system and will work collectively to foster global economic resilience against such actions,” said a joint statement from the foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
“We reiterate the importance of adherence to international law,” particularly in the East and South China Seas, they said.
The Quad meeting comes as the four partners have seen their respective relations with Beijing worsen over a wide range of issues, including territorial disputes, human rights and the origins of the coronavirus in China.
Although there was little new in the statement, the meeting appeared designed to underscore the importance of the alliance, of showing up and making progress in the “pivot” to Asia, even in the face of pressing global events.